‘Tron: Ares’: Predicted To Lose Over $134M For Disney

After two weeks in cinemas, there are lots of interesting box office murmurings coming out about legacy sequel Tron: Ares. With sources telling Deadline that the $170 million-$180 million number floating around the internet regarding the film cost is not true, the number is closer to $220 million. If this is correct, it will only add to the additional pressure for the film to succeed globally.

The film, the third in the series, follows the story of Ares (Jared Leto), a highly sophisticated AI programme, who leaves the digital world of Tron for a dangerous mission in the real world. The film also features the likes of Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Gillian Anderson. It’s getting incredibly mixed reviews with many praising the look and soundtrack of the film, but being critical of the script and some of the performances. It was predicted to get an opening box office of around $40 million, but instead gained around $33.2M with a 67% second-weekend domestic plummet following that of $11.1M. This puts the film so far, receiving only around $103 million.

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In the reporting by Deadline, they break down the reasons this means the film is heading towards a $134M+ loss as follows:

‘At a $160 million box office threshold, Tron: Ares triggers $72.2 million in worldwide theatrical rentals, $37.6M in global home entertainment, close to $100M in global home television, with an extra $5 million from airlines for a total of $214.8 million in revenues. Put this up against the $220 million net production cost shot with Vancouver, BC tax credits, a $102.5M global P&A spend with stunts at San Diego Comic-Con, touring light cycles, a laser light Nine Inch Nails laser-light concert at the Los Angeles premiere that closed down Hollywood Boulevard, $10.8M in others costs and $14.2M in residuals, which gets you to total costs of $347.5M. That gets us to a $132.7 million loss.”

Whilst it’s still possible that the film could turn around the worldwide Box Office and prove these reports wrong, reviews are not looking too encouraging, so it seems unlikely at this stage. 

Tron: Ares is in cinemas now.

About the Author

Danny Humby

Editor

Danny is a freelance media creative with a background spanning marketing, journalism and governance. From 2021 to 2024 he was Chair of the Student Radio Association and is currently a Trustee at Chichester Festival Theatre. He holds an MSc in Marketing and a BA in Film and Television from Solent University, and remains passionate about supporting young people, the arts, and charitable organisations to help broaden their reach and impact. He can be found under @popcornandpace on Instagram.

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